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Required preparatory courses for transfers
Updated for the 2025 admissions cycle.
Students who have earned 12 or more credits at another accredited institution since graduating high school are eligible to apply as transfer applicants. While Cornell University will not be accepting external transfer applications for Spring 2025, we encourage you to consider applying for Fall 2025.
Our most competitive applicants are full-time (12 credits per semester) students who have met the GPA and course requirements (see below) and articulate/demonstrate a deep match with the College of Human Ecology and our majors. Completing the coursework requirements with strong grades does not guarantee admission. See our transfer application tips for more information.
Your academic preparation and coursework choices for a possible transfer to the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University are critical components of the admissions process. Completing the coursework below enables incoming transfer students to
- have the appropriate foundational academic preparation;
- to focus on major-specific courses; and
- to be on track for a timely graduation.
The Global and Public Health Sciences major is not available for transfer students. Consider other CHE majors that can be used to study community health in conjunction with a Global Health minor.
Important notes:
- Coursework outlined below must be completed at an accredited two- or four-year undergraduate institution that provides official transcripts and letter grades starting the first year. Cornell does not accept Pass/Fail coursework.
- Placing out of a course at your first institution due to AP/IB exam scores, high school coursework, and/or placement exams administered by other institutions does not necessarily fulfill course requirements for the College of Human Ecology. The College of Human Ecology adheres to its own established policies with AP/IB score policies reviewed and updated each summer. Updates may impact course planning prior to enrollment.
- Transfer applicants should not plan to use AP/IB credits to fulfill many/most of the required coursework.
- Cornell University's semester system awards quarter system credits by calculating .67 credits per each credit of study at an institution on the quarter system. A (3)-credit quarter system course therefore will be awarded (2) semester credits.
Required coursework by major
Required coursework by major
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR SOPHOMORE TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- General/Introductory Biology, Inorganic Chemistry*, or Physics, with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review course criteria required to satisfy this requirement.
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Precalculus** or Calculus (3 credits) if neither course was taken during high school.
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- *PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants are required to complete
**College of Human Ecology policy states that precalculus coursework credits do not transfer, however, completion of at least precalculus at the collegiate level is an admissions requirement.
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR JUNIOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- Courses listed above for sophomore transfer applicants and
- Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- Studio in two- and three- dimensional design (3 credits)
- PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants are also required to complete
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. Re-applicants must submit a new supplement. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.
Note: Students interested in Fashion Design are strongly encouraged to apply for their sophomore year. Coursework and portfolio review will determine the number of semesters needed to graduate if admitted.
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR SOPHOMORE TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- General/Introductory Biology, Inorganic Chemistry*, or Physics, with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review course criteria required to satisfy this requirement.
- Precalculus** or Calculus (3 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- *PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants are required to complete
**College of Human Ecology policy states that precalculus coursework credits do not transfer, however, completion of at least precalculus at the collegiate level is an admissions requirement.
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR JUNIOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- Courses listed above for sophomore transfer applicants and
- Statistics (3 credits) or Computer Science (3 credits)
- Design or Studio Art
- Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- Introductory Anthropology or Sociology (3 credits)
- PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants are also required to complete
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. Re-applicants must submit a new supplement. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR SOPHOMORE TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- General/Introductory Biology, Inorganic Chemistry*, or Physics, with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review course criteria required to satisfy this requirement.
- Calculus (3 – 4 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- *PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants are required to complete
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR JUNIOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- Courses listed above for sophomore transfer applicants and
- Statistics (3 credits) or Computer Science (3 credits)
- Introductory Anthropology or Sociology (3 credits)
- PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants are also required to complete
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. Re-applicants must submit a new supplement. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR SOPHOMORE TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- General Inorganic Chemistry with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters), equivalent to Cornell University’s CHEM 2070 and CHEM 2080.
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review course criteria required to satisfy this requirement.
- Calculus (3 – 4 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR JUNIOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- Courses listed above for sophomore transfer applicants and
- General/Introductory Physics with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
- Computer Science (3 credits)
- PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants are also required to complete
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. Re-applicants must submit a new supplement. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR SOPHOMORE TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- General Inorganic Chemistry with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [Equivalent to Cornell University’s CHEM 2070 and CHEM 2080.]
- General/Introductory Biology with lab* (3+ credits/1+ semesters)
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review course criteria required to satisfy this requirement.
- Calculus or statistics (3-4 credits)
- Introductory Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR JUNIOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- Courses listed above for sophomore transfer applicants and
- General/Introductory Biology with lab* (8+ credits/2 semesters)
- Organic Chemistry with labs (8 credits/2 semesters) [Equivalent to Cornell University’s CHEM 1570, CHEM 3570, and CHEM 3580, CHEM 3600.]
- Introductory coursework in nutritional sciences (3 credits)
- Introductory Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
- Recommended: Microbiology for those intending to apply to the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
*Biology equivalencies at Cornell University:
- Lectures: BIOMG 1350; BIOG 1440 or BIOG 1445; BIOEE 1610, BIOEE 1780
- Labs: BIOG 1500 or BIOSM 1500
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR SOPHOMORE TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- General/Introductory Biology (focusing on human biology) with lab (3 – 4 credits)
- General/Introductory Biology, Chemistry*, or Physics, with lab (3 – 4 credits)
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review course criteria required to satisfy this requirement.
- Precalculus** or calculus (3 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- *PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants are required to complete
**College of Human Ecology policy states that precalculus coursework credits do not transfer, however, completion of at least precalculus at the collegiate level is an admissions requirement.
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR JUNIOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- Courses listed above for sophomore transfer applicants and
- Any course focused on human development (e.g. Child Development, Adolescent Development, Adulthood and Aging) (3 credits)
- Introductory Anthropology or Sociology (3 credits)
- PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants are also required to complete
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR SOPHOMORE TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- General Inorganic Chemistry with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [Equivalent to Cornell University’s CHEM 2070 and CHEM 2080.]
- English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters) — Refer to Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
- Calculus or Statistics (3 – 4 credits)
- Introductory Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR JUNIOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS
- Courses listed above for sophomore transfer applicants and
- General/Introductory Biology with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)
- Organic Chemistry with labs (8 credits/2 semesters) [Equivalent to Cornell University’s CHEM 1570, CHEM 3570, and CHEM 3580, CHEM 3600.]
- Introductory coursework in nutritional sciences (3 credits)
- Introductory Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
- Recommended: Microbiology for those intending to apply to the Didactic Program in Dietetics.
Health Care Policy and Public Policy majors: Visit the Brooks School required courses.
High School Coursework: Transfer applicants are required to have completed high school coursework in a) biology and b) chemistry or physics. Courses not completed in high school must be taken as an undergraduate.